Womenade grows its giving circle
The holiday Womenade gathering at the Bell Mountain Ranch home of Leslie Beauchamp was a celebration of the season and raised funds to help two local families in need. Womenade holds quarterly potlucks in homes in Castle Pines, Castle Rock and other nearby areas to raise funds to help with needs that otherwise might not be met. Womenade encourages bringing a potluck dish to share and a $25 donation which adds up when friends bring friends. The gatherings are an opportunity to make new friends in the community and lend a helping hand.
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich
Womenade, a group of women “making lemonade out of life’s lemons,” celebrated the season of giving on December 5 at the Bell Mountain Ranch home of Leslie Beauchamp. More than 50 women gathered to raise funds and lend a helping hand to two local families.
Womenade encourages bringing a $25 donation, a potluck dish and a friend to their quarterly gatherings. At the holiday event, everyone enjoyed the many potluck dishes to choose from and then Donna Scott, a Womenade board member, asked guests to share their favorite Womenade stories that particularly touched their heart. A guest shared how she recalls the high school boy who was nominated because he was on his own but when he was told he had been nominated to receive a gift, insisted the money go to someone else he knew, who he felt needed it more.
From a family with a 5-year-old who had a long hospital stay due to a heart problem, to a 70-year-old woman who was raising her three grandchildren, the blessings are bestowed upon any neighbor who is going through a hard time. Recipients are nominated through the Womenade network, are considered quarterly, and are kept confidential unless otherwise granted permission.
Guests at the holiday event shared what Womenade means to them, which included the camaraderie, the food and just helping our neighbors in Castle Pines and Castle Rock. Wanda Kasunic, a Womenade board member, read a touching thank you note from a previous recipient. Scott shared how some recipients have had a positive turn of circumstances and then donated money to Womenade to pay it forward and help the next person or family who could use a hand.
Womenade is committed to giving 100 percent of the funds received from their events to the recipients with no administrative charges. Hostesses provide the home, everyone brings food, and the board provides beverages so all proceeds go to the recipients.
Womenade celebrated its 14th anniversary, has helped a total of 196 families thus far and just reached the $100,000 donation mark, $25 at a time.
For more information or to find out the March date and location, visit www.womenadecastlerock.com or www.facebook.com/WomenadeCastleRock.
